Publisher's Synopsis
"The School for Scandal" is a comedy of manners play written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It premiered at Drury Lane Theatre in London on May 8, 1777. The play is a quintessential example of Sheridan's wit and his keen observation of social behavior, satirizing the gossip and hypocrisy prevalent in high society. The play is set in 18th-century London, primarily in the fashionable drawing rooms of its characters The plot revolves around the romantic entanglements and deceptions among the characters, particularly focusing on the Surface brothers and Lady Teazle. Sir Oliver Surface disguises himself to test the true natures of his nephews, Charles and Joseph. He finds Charles to be generous and kind-hearted despite his financial recklessness, while Joseph is exposed as a hypocrite and a villain. Lady Teazle, initially drawn to the allure of high society and flirtation with Joseph Surface, eventually realizes the value of her husband, Sir Peter. The play concludes with the exposure of the various schemes and the reconciliation of the main characters, particularly the Teazles and the Surface brothers.
